Multi-application data display

ABSTRACT

A data display firmware improvement for a scan tool adds the capability to view in a single presentation data uploaded from a motor vehicle&#39;s onboard diagnostic (OBD) computer synchronized with data from external test apparatus. The data display algorithms permit viewing of OBD data, including certain real-time oscilloscope-like waveforms, and allow viewing test results from compatible instruments, such as exhaust gas analyzers, including capturing realtime OBD signals, holding them until delayed events such as gas analyzer test results become available, then displaying the events on a common display as though available simultaneously in real time. The firmware upgrade is downloadable to existing products.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority based upon copending U.S.application Ser. No. 08/702,751 and Ser. No. 09/702,803, both filed Nov.1, 2000, and Ser. No. 09/944,107, filed Sep. 4, 2001, and ProvisionalApplication Serial No. 60/413,740 and No. 60/413,741, both filed Sep.27, 2002, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to electronic testequipment. More particularly, the present invention relates todiagnostic and display apparatus for troubleshooting and repair of motorvehicles, to include interface with onboard motor vehicle controlcomputers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Onboard control computers have become ubiquitous in motorvehicles, as safety, economy, and emissions requirements have continuedto escalate, and conventional designs for reciprocating engines,friction braking systems, collision safety apparatus, and tractioncontrol devices have proven unequal to the requirements set out in lawand the implicit demands of competitors' achievements. Successivegenerations of onboard control computers have acquired increasing datasensing and retention capability as the electronic art has advanced.Present external diagnostic and display apparatus, known to thoseskilled in the art as Scan Tools, are commonly limited to reporting thedata acquired by the onboard control computer itself. Increasinglysubtle subsystem failures in automobiles overload the ability ofmaintenance technicians not simply to read the faults detected andstored by the computers themselves, but to combine those readings withperipheral measurements in order to allow a technician to identifyfaults and decide on corrective actions with both speed and accuracy.

[0004] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide in the Scan Tool theability to acquire and evaluate test data from sources other than themotor vehicle's onboard computer, and to combine those results with dataacquired directly from the onboard computer. The present invention, byenhancing the Scan Tool's ability to collect data from external testdevices via data input ports, and by merging the additional data withdata previously available from the onboard computer into a singledisplay with fully coordinated timing, presents to the technician a morecomplete picture of the status of the motor vehicle under test.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The foregoing limitations of the prior art have been satisfied toa great extent by the present invention, wherein, in a first aspect ofthe invention, a test apparatus for acquiring and displaying motorvehicle data includes a scan interface subsystem permittingcommunication between the test apparatus and a motor vehicle onboarddiagnostic (OBD) computer, an external device interface subsystempermitting communication between the test apparatus and additional dataacquisition devices, and a display in communication with the scaninterface and the external device interface component, where the displaypresents data from the scan interface and from additional dataacquisition devices with which the external device interface componentmay be in communication.

[0006] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention,the Scan Tool is enhanced through the provision of means whereby vehiclestatus data from multiple sources can be combined and displayed. Thepresent invention provides means whereby fixed data elements from thevehicle's OBD computer, data from the OBD computer changing at any rate,fixed measurements from other data acquisition devices, and dynamicsignals from other data acquisition devices can be gathered, scaled withrespect to time delay, rate, and amplitude, then stored or displayed.

[0007] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention,the Scan Tool provides a method for acquiring and displaying motorvehicle diagnostic data that includes the steps of obtaining data from acomputer on a motor vehicle, obtaining data from external testequipment, and displaying data from the computer on the motor vehicleand data from the external test equipment.

[0008] There have thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention, in order that the detailed descriptionthereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that thepresent contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, ofcourse, additional features of the invention that will be describedbelow and which will form the subject matter of the claims appendedhereto.

[0009] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0010] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that theconception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilizedas a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systemsfor carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It isimportant, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including suchequivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spiritand scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1, an oblique front view of a hand-held Scan Tool,illustrates placement of displays, controls, and ports of a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 2, an oblique rear view of the Scan Tool, illustratesconnections to additional ports of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0013]FIG. 3, a view similar to FIG. 2, shows the Scan Tool with arepresentative Gas Analyzer fitted into a recess in its rear surface andmated to the connector therein.

[0014]FIG. 4 provides a representative view of the Scan Tool's display,in which typical data items are presented and soft keys are shown,available for user activation.

[0015]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional units of thepresent invention.

[0016]FIG. 6 is a summarized flowchart illustrating the steps that maybe followed in performance of the functions of the present invention,including and identifying new functions embodied in the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0017] A preferred embodiment of the present inventive apparatus andmethod is illustrated in FIG. 1. In this figure, a handheld interfaceunit 2 has a display panel 4, a first button group 5, and a secondbutton group 6. The shape of the preferred embodiment of the unit 2 isdesigned to provide large size to allow the display panel 4 to affordease of viewing, while providing a handle 8 that allows typical users togrip the unit securely. The button group 5 in the preferred embodimentallows the bottom zone of the display to be assigned as needed as a rowof up to four “soft keys” for changeable user interface options;alternative embodiments with any number of buttons and corresponding“soft keys” are possible. The button group 6 provides a set of switchclosures independent of screen status, and serves as a primary userinterface to the microprocessor-based Scan Tool. Ports shown in FIG. 1are a first custom interface connector 10 for an OBD adapter, a serialport connector 12, a USB port connector 14, an Infrared Data Association(IrDA)/Hewlett-Packard (HP) Infrared connection 16, a PCMCIA type 2connector 18 and a smart card connector 20.

[0018]FIG. 2 shows the rear panel of a preferred embodiment of theinvention; in this view, a second custom interface connector, termed ahardware interface port, or HIP, 22, is shown, which provides the ScanTool with the capability of adapting functions from earlier designs tooperate with the present invention. A Compact Flash® card connector 24,not visible, occupies a slot on another face of the preferredembodiment. The ports shown in the views above are representative ofports that could be included in a system design supporting the preferredembodiment of the present invention. The battery box cover 26 allows theapparatus to be powered from a built-in Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH)battery. The preferred design permits a power supply that can furnishthe requisite direct-current (DC) voltage at sufficient amperage to beplugged into a power jack 28, supporting in-unit recharging of the NiMHbattery and allowing indefinite operating time.

[0019]FIG. 3 shows the view of FIG. 2 with a typical Gas Analyzer 140installed. Such a Gas Analyzer, directly mating with the HIP connector22, may carry one of a variety of communications interfaces with whichthe inventive apparatus is compatible. Other Gas Analyzer modules thatcan function with the preferred embodiment may communicate with itthrough alternative ports, such as the serial port 12, and may use otherprotocols than that used by the Gas Analyzer 140.

[0020]FIG. 4 illustrates the display of one embodiment, wherein afull-color display screen 30 has facility to present a plurality of time(horizontal axis) versus selected parameter (vertical axis) data events,as well as text information. The capability of the concept isillustrated by a first trace 32 that shows engine revolutions per minute(RPM) as a function of time during a particular test session, and asecond trace 34 that shows exhaust gas concentration of oxides ofnitrogen, the latter data having been acquired at a different timeduring the same test interval. The horizontal axis of the display showsa low-resolution section 36 and a high-resolution section 38, whichcapability is a selectable function of the preferred embodiment. A firstdashed line 40 indicates the exact point on the time axis thatcorresponds to a first text readout 42, which provides a descriptivelabel, a value, and a unit reference; a first pair of minimum andmaximum readings 44 is provided to establish a scale. The second trace34 represents data from an external test device, which data is availableafter a fixed delay. The display is offset accordingly, allowing the tworeadings to be aligned in time. A second dashed line 46 indicates thesample time for a second text display 48. A second scale indication 50provides a second frame of reference.

[0021] The display shows a plurality of additional test items in theform of text only, which can include labels 52, data values 54, andunits 56 where relevant. The display further shows representative statusinformation, such as a note 58 indicating the delay time for the gassensor. A group of “soft” buttons 60 have functions dynamically defined,with activation for the immediate definitions of the button functionstriggered through the buttons shown in FIG. 1 as item 6. A slidebar 62,familiar to users of graphical user interface (GUI)-based operatingsystems such as Lynx®, Apple® OS9®, and Microsoft® Windows®, indicatesthe presence of and provides access to additional data not presentlyvisible on the display.

[0022]FIG. 5 illustrates the electronic circuitry in block diagram form.A power-input subsystem 64 accepts available DC and converts it to thevoltages needed for all other subsystems within the apparatus. Acomputational subsystem 66 that includes a central processing unit 68, adynamic data memory area 70, a preprogrammed instruction memory area 72,a reprogrammable instruction and data area 74, an interface control unit76, a master clock 78, and a watchdog timer 80, performs analysis andcontrol of all functions. A display subsystem 82 that includes a displayscreen 84, a dedicated display voltage generator 86, a backlight voltagegenerator 88, a display interface unit 90, a display image generator 92,and a display driver 94, accepts, stores, and displays data generated bythe computational subsystem 66. An external data interface unit 96 thatincludes a set of transceivers 98 and a dedicated data interfaceprocessor 100 receives digital data from installed external testinstruments requiring such dedicated handshaking and presents this datato the computational subsystem 66, which collates and processes thatdata. The external data interface unit 96 further transmits such digitalhandshaking and control data as the external test instruments mayrequire in order to continue providing measurements.

[0023]FIG. 6 shows one of the major elements included in the presentinvention. In this flowchart, operation begins with basic initialization102. The call to the Vehicle Selection Front End Process 104 (VSProcess) identifies the vehicle under test through a process combininguser interface and data table lookup.

[0024] In one embodiment, VS Process 104 software will guide an operatorthrough interpretation of the characters of the VIN, such as an “F” inthe second position indicating a Ford or a “G” in the tenth positionrepresenting the year 1986. For each of several combinations of positionand data value, the VS Process 104 permits the operator to compile adescription of the vehicle under test.

[0025] In another embodiment, the operator can key in a vehicleidentification number (VIN) and the Scan Tool can determine themanufacturer, body style, year of manufacture, engine type, emissionscontrols, settings that can be stored and changed in OBD memory (sparkadvance timing and the like), and other details concerning that vehicle,all of which may be stored in the Scan Tool in the reprogrammableinstruction and data area 74.

[0026] Some of the data acquired through any embodiment of the VSProcess 104 is needed in running the diagnostics; other information,such as the part of the VIN that is the serial number of the particularvehicle, is stored for printing, added to a database where the serviceis performed, or otherwise used.

[0027] Once the vehicle has been selected, communication between theScan Tool and the vehicle must be established 106. Since several vehiclemanufacturers use OBD specification compliant interfaces that are notcompatible with each other, the process in 106 requires a dedicatedinterface driver and cable set as well as a unique handshaking routine.A representative Scan Tool can manage this process by directing theoperator to assemble the system in the configuration required for theparticular vehicle. This process is complete when the Scan Tool is ableto verify that the test system components are correctly connected andhas performed handshaking with the vehicle's OBD electronics. Forvehicles older than the industry's adoption of the OBD system, otherinterconnect systems can be used.

[0028] Once communication is established 106, the Scan Tool can extract108 from the OBD of the vehicle under test any static scan data ofinterest. As part of this process, the Scan Tool may also determinecriteria for extracting from the OBD any data that may flow in real timeand be susceptible to capture by the Scan Tool in support of itstesting. The first trace 32 in FIG. 4 is such a realtime flow, capturedand stored for subsequent display. Such a data flow could also bedisplayed in real time and not captured, in much the same way that avehicle scope could monitor a spark plug waveform, for example.

[0029]FIG. 6 includes a specific query 110 related to Gas Analyzers.While other external devices may be treated similarly, the management ofGas Analyzers in particular is an illustrative example of the datamanagement that is the subject of the present invention. If no GasAnalyzer is needed (the NO branch at the decision point 110), then thelogic shown displays by default all acquired and selected data in asingle time frame 114. There are exceptions to this. The inventivedesign allows data that arrive at the same time to be displayed offsetin time; the same data stream to be displayed more than once on separatelines, at the same time or skewed in time; or data streams to be heldindefinitely, displayed later, printed, transmitted to an externaldevice; and so on. Note that there is a loop from the Data Display 114that feeds back before the vehicle query 108. This loop represents thecontinuous data acquisition that a representative Scan Tool performs.

[0030] If inclusion of Gas Analyzer data was selected by the user, thenanother feature of the inventive apparatus comes into play, because amultiplicity of Gas Analyzers, some with incompatible communicationsinterfaces, are in current use. In the case where use of a Gas Analyzeras part of an analysis was previously selected, then an additional stepin the process combines 112 the Gas Analyzer data with the remainder ofthe Scan Tool data according to the user's preferred format. Where theGas Analyzer was chosen but has not yet been started, the secondary looppath from Data Display, which is normally inactive, responds to a manualinput 116—in this case, the manual input consists of scrolling to thedesired setup window on the display and pressing the buttoncorresponding to the desired option—by launching the setup routine. Thisbegins by establishing communication with whichever Gas Analyzer isconnected 118. Next, the data link to the Gas Analyzer is exercisedaccording to the requirements of the unit that is installed, and flow ofgas data is begun 120. At this point data flow and Scan Tool operationsubstantially merge with those of the default path described first,namely continuous reacquisition of all available fixed and dynamic datafrom all sources, then displaying a subset of it in accordance withuser-selected options.

[0031] The system configuration here refers to accessory devicesattached to the main unit and active during the current session. Somedevices may be unused, others may be self-configuring, others still mayrequire manual setup by the user. Among devices nominallyself-configuring, some may permit manual intervention. As an example,the time lag for a particular model of Gas Analyzer might be known andcalibrated, but a technician might wish to alter the apparent time lag.Similarly, the nominal time lag could be subject to drift and requirecompensation. Such manual configuration changes could be made at thispoint in the logic flow.

[0032] Normal execution involves time-shared execution of all scheduledtasks. Time-slice allocation is a task carried out by the operatingsystem. The scheduled tasks are managed as objects with hierarchicalpriority. Interrupts are controlled in such fashion as to avoid systemand task casualties.

[0033] One embodiment of the present invention can provide additionaldigital data input management capability and a revised command packagefor an existing Scan Tool design. The additional input capability cantake the form of management of port connections to permit multipleexternal devices to provide test results that can be displayed by theScan Tool. The revised command package can format and store test datafrom external test equipment as well as data captured by the vehicle'sOBD computer and uplinked. The command package can further coordinatedisplay of selectable subsets of the stored data from all sources. Dataarriving from stored sources may typically be unchanging over the courseof a test. Realtime data from onboard and external sources may detectdiscrete events that occurred at different rates. Continuous processesmay have been sampled at different rates. As a consequence of thesefactors, it can be a requirement of the command package to coordinateand rationalize data from all sources in order to display disparateinformation on a common timeline. This coordination and rationalizationcan take the form of storing time versus data for each changeable item;storing values for items that are intrinsically invariant over thecourse of a test; and storing correction factors such as gain,characteristic or programmable time delay.

[0034] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, theScan Tool has the following new capabilities:

[0035] It can extract and store in its own memory all entries specifiedfor an OBD-II-compliant computer's storage, including indications ofboth normal and abnormal conditions, time or event count information,and such other data as a particular OBD computer may store.

[0036] It can acquire from external sources and retain any compatiblyformatted data furnished by additional test instruments monitoring themotor vehicle under test.

[0037] It can present to the display subsystem of the Scan Tool acombined test result, composed of static (fixed or rarely changing) anddynamic (changing frequently or continuously) reports from the OBDcomputer of the vehicle under test, as well as static and dynamicreports from external test instruments.

[0038] It can furnish test results to the display subsystem of the ScanTool selectively from all those available, at the choice of the user.

[0039] It can allow control over the timing relationship betweendisplays of individual events, so that any display may be delayed withrespect to a timing reference.

[0040] It can allow control over the time interval for the combineddisplay, so that the display presents events that occurred over a timesegment that the user can select.

[0041] It can provide both compressed and expanded time intervals forthe displayed events, so that the time axis can be in part “zoomed out”to permit display of large amounts of data at low time resolution and“zoomed in” to permit display of smaller amounts of data at higher timeresolution.

[0042] It can provide control of the time window for the combineddisplay, so that any time segment within the capability of the hardwareimplementation may be displayed, and the user may pass the display backand forth repeatedly through the stored data, displaying any such dataof interest.

[0043] It can permit input management parameter entry forcharacterization of source signals, including but not limited totelemetry voltage excursion, telemetry signal timing and format, digitalsignal numerical range, data acquisition time lag, signal labeling, andunits labeling.

[0044] The many features and advantages of the invention are apparentfrom the detailed specification, and thus it is intended by the appendedclaims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention whichfall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, sincenumerous modifications and variations will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to theexact construction and operation illustrated and described, andaccordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resortedto, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A test instrument for acquiring and displayingmotor vehicle data, comprising: a scan interface component permittingcommunication between said test instrument and a motor vehicle onboarddiagnostic (OBD) computer; an external device interface componentpermitting communication between said test instrument and an additionaldata acquisition device; and a communication subsystem that establishescommunication between said scan interface and said external deviceinterface components, said subsystem acquiring data from said scaninterface and from such additional data acquisition devices as saidexternal device interface component may be in communication with.
 2. Thetest instrument of claim 1, further comprising an external deviceinterface component permitting communication between said testinstrument and a plurality of additional data acquisition devices. 3.The test instrument of claim 1, further comprising a subsystem of saidtest instrument to display test and status data in graphical form, toinclude text messages.
 4. The test instrument of claim 1, furthercomprising a subsystem of said test instrument to display test andstatus data in graphical form, to include representation of a horizontalaxis representing time plotted against a vertical axis representing atest parameter, such as voltage, temperature, concentration of oxides ofnitrogen, and other parameters of interest to test instrument users. 5.The test instrument of claim 1, further comprising a subsystem of saidtest instrument able to alter graphical display representation of datacollected from said vehicle OBD computer in response to data propertiesof event time of occurrence, external source data item acquisition rate,and amplitude, for the purpose of permitting comparison between saiddata despite disparities in properties.
 6. The test instrument of claim1, further comprising a subsystem of said test instrument able to altergraphical display representation of data collected from said externalsources in response to disparate data properties of event time ofoccurrence, external source data item acquisition rate, and amplitude,for the purpose of permitting direct data comparison despite disparitiesin event rate.
 7. The test instrument of claim 1, further comprising asubsystem of said test instrument able to alter graphical displayrepresentation of data collected from said external sources in responseto disparate data properties of event time of occurrence, externalsource data item acquisition rate, and amplitude, for the purpose ofpermitting direct data comparison despite disparities in time ofoccurrence.
 8. The test instrument of claim 1, further comprising asubsystem of said test instrument able to alter graphical displayrepresentation of data for the purpose of permitting the horizontal(time) axis of a time-synchronized set of data traces to display in partat a first rate and in part at a second rate.
 9. The test instrument ofclaim 1, further comprising a subsystem of said test instrument able todisplay data previously acquired.
 10. The test instrument of claim 1,further comprising a subsystem of said test instrument able to alter thetime representation of sets of data in order to present on the samedisplay sets of data that occurred at different times.
 11. The testinstrument of claim 1, further comprising a system of said testinstrument able to acquire and process data from a motor vehicle onboarddiagnostic type II (OBD-II®) computer scan interface using universalOBD-II interface ports and protocols.
 12. The test instrument of claim1, further comprising a system of said test instrument able to writedata to a motor vehicle onboard computer using universal OBD-IIinterface ports and protocols.
 13. The test instrument of claim 1,further comprising a subsystem of said test instrument able to acquireand process data from, and/or output commands and data to, external testapparatus, where such external test apparatus employs an interface portand protocol unique to the present inventive apparatus to supply data.14. The test instrument of claim 1, further comprising a subsystem ofsaid test instrument able to acquire and process data from external testapparatus, where such external test apparatus employs anindustry-standard Infrared Data Association® (IrDA) infrared interfaceport and protocol to communicate.
 15. The test instrument of claim 1,further comprising a subsystem of said test instrument able to acquireand process data from, and/or output commands and data to, external testapparatus, where such external test apparatus employs anindustry-standard serial interface port and protocol to communicate. 16.The test instrument of claim 1, further comprising an interface of saidtest instrument able to acquire and process data from, and/or outputcommands and data to, external test apparatus, where such interfaceemploys an industry-standard Personal Computer Memory Card InternationalAssociation® (PCMCIA®) interface port and protocol to communicate. 17.The test instrument of claim 1, further comprising a subsystem of saidtest instrument able to acquire and process data from, and/or outputcommands and data to, external test apparatus, where such external testapparatus employs an industry-standard universal serial bus (USB)interface port and protocol to supply data.
 18. The test instrument ofclaim 1, further comprising a subsystem of said test instrument able tooutput data to external apparatus, where such external apparatus employsa Hewlett-Packard Corporation® (HP®) wireless interface port andprotocol to output data.
 19. The test instrument of claim 1, furthercomprising a subsystem of said test instrument able to acquirereplacement executable binary code for said test instrument from anexternal source, where such an external source employs anindustry-standard Class II Compact Flash Card® interface port andprotocol to supply replacement executable binary code.
 20. The testinstrument of claim 1, further comprising a subsystem of said testinstrument able to acquire replacement executable binary code for saidtest instrument from an external source, where such an external sourceemploys an industry-standard universal serial bus (USB) interface portand protocol to supply replacement executable binary code.
 21. A systemfor acquiring and displaying motor vehicle diagnostic data, said systemcomprising: means for acquiring data generated or stored within acomputer; means for establishing communication with external testequipment through repeated attempts to initialize a link with saidexternal test equipment using available protocols and portconfigurations; and means for acquiring data generated or stored withinexternal test equipment.
 22. The system of claim 21, further comprisingmeans for processing data acquired from said motor vehicle computer andsaid external test equipment.
 23. The system of claim 21, furthercomprising means for altering data stored within said motor vehiclecomputer.
 24. The system of claim 21, further comprising means fortransmitting commands for execution by said external test equipment. 25.The system of claim 21, further comprising means for displaying datafrom said computer and said external test equipment in a unifiedgraphical display.
 26. A method for acquiring and displaying motorvehicle diagnostic data comprising the steps of: obtaining data from acomputer on a motor vehicle; and obtaining data from external testequipment.
 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step ofdisplaying selected data signals in accordance with selected settings,independent of the source of the signals.
 28. The method of claim 26,further comprising the step of processing data signals.
 29. The methodof claim 26, further comprising the step of altering data stored withina motor vehicle onboard computer.
 30. The method of claim 26, furthercomprising the step of transmitting commands for execution by externaltest equipment.
 31. The method of claim 26, further comprising the stepof displaying data from a vehicle onboard computer and external testequipment in a unified graphical display.